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THIS MICROFILM IS
THE PROPERTY OF
THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT
MICROFILMED BY
NPPSO—NAVAL DISTRICT WASHINGTON
MICROFILM SECTIONBREEN (65-8)
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No Nareqar Qs Geer |e TRUSSSIRED
Feotew sa Sun Aka — We QS, Coeur,
Nimrenne Rcawes Navona Une Sisto.Office of Naval Records and History
Ships* Histories Section
Navy Department,
HISTORY OF USS BLACKFISH (83 221)
‘The USS BLACKFISH, a submarine of the GATO-class of 1941-1943,
was built by the Electric Boat Company of Groton, Connecticut and’ was
jaunched April 18,°1942, Mre. Honry de F. Nel, vifo of Captain Honry
do F. Mel, 80, USK, was the submarine's official sponsor.
‘The BLACKFISH was placed in commission on July 22, 1942, with
Commander R. W. Johnson, USN, as the ship's first’ comanding officer,
After @ three-month period of training and fitting out, the sub-
marine proceeded to European waters and made her first patrol off
Taker, French West Africa. Meny planes vere sightcd and the U, 3.
transport MOUNT VERNON, with her escort, vas encountered. On Hoveriter
9, 1942, tho BIACKFISH attacked tvo Italian freighters escorted by
tho antisubmarine vessels. A torpedo hit was obtazned on one of the
freighters and it was believed sunl:. The escorts then attacked the.
submerged BIACKPISH with devia charges but the submarine successfully
Toe one ihe attack. he lok of eneny shipping encountered vas dia
appointing to the crew but the patrol gave invaluable experience.
After @ period of inactivity at Rosencath, Scotland, the sub made
her second war patrol in Atlantic waters, Mo shipping which could be
considered a5 @ legitinate target ves encountered although planes
appeared =~ as did neutral ships ana fishing craft.
‘The BLACKFISH returned to Rosenesth, then mado her third wax
patrol off Bilbao, Spain, spending it largely off Bilbao Harbor,
Afton sighting severe] ships flying neutral flags, the submarine
attacked tvo small antisubnarino vousels flying the German eneign on.
February 19th. wo torpedces were fired at each vith a hit obteinec
on ono. It vas presumed sunk. The BLACKWISH vac in turn attacked
with depth charges with resultant damagp to her conning tower and
other impairments of a more minor nature. She escaped, hovever, and
was repaired at the Royal Navy Dockyard, Devonshire, England, and
later underwent other repairs alongside a tender,
‘The $$ 221's fourth patrol began April 5, 1943, and vas performed
im northern Atlantic waters, off Norway and feeland. Diving aiffi-
oulties and equipment troubles were encountered due to collecting
ico, a8 the run vas mosuly made on tho surface due to the continuous
northern daylight. No shipping and few planes Were encountered.
‘Tho BIACKFISH's fifth patrol vas carried oat once more in
Atlantic waters; and again the submarine located no favorable targets,
For hor part in the Pacific war, the submarine prepared for at
‘at Mew London, Connecticut; trained’ off the Canal Zone; then pro-
coeded to Brisbane, Australia; after which she entered the Solomons-
Now Cuinea-Bismarck Archipelago area, She left on patrol October 19,
1943, and on tho sane day sighted two unloaded cargo ships which she
hed'to let pess rather than reveal Une submarine scouting 1ines